Rybakou Hopes US Will Influence European Union in Minsk’s Favor

Reform.news Editorial Team · 22 October 2026, 14:10

https://reform.news/en/rybakou-hopes-us-will-influence-european-union-in-minsk-s-favor/

Minsk is counting on the United States to influence the European Union in a way that favors the Belarusian authorities. This was stated by Belarus’ Permanent Representative to the UN, Valiantsin Rybakou, following a briefing to Aliaksandr Lukashenka on negotiations with the US side.

“The United States engages with the European Union taking into account the decisions it has already made regarding Belarus, for example, the lifting of sanctions. The US can influence EU member states so that certain issues in our cooperation with European countries develop in a more positive direction.

“It is no secret that the United States has a special relationship with the EU. It has a certain degree of authority and the means to influence decisions made by EU member states in a way that is positive for us,” BelTA quoted Rybakou as saying.

During the briefing, Lukashenka also noted that Belarus’ relations with the European Union could be addressed as part of the process with the United States.

It should be noted that following US President’s Special Envoy John Coale’s visit to Minsk in the spring and the lifting of sanctions on Belaruskali, reports appeared in the Lithuanian press about an attempt by the United States to influence Lithuania on sanctions and secure transit for potash fertilizers. However, the effort has yet to succeed. Following his September visit to Minsk, Coale also held talks in Vilnius and Riga.

Against this backdrop, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhankou met with his Polish counterpart, Radosław Sikorski.